The new Renault Duster with hybrid engine has an edge over its rivals despite having no diesel engine while the styling also appeals with its butch looks, says Somnath Chatterjee.
The India-EU free trade deal could help Indian-made cars enter Europe at lower costs and challenge Chinese dominance.
'We are very quickly going to announce the timeline of our launches, which should start giving us the turnaround'
Renault India on Saturday said it will reduce prices of its vehicles by up to Rs 96,395 to pass on full benefit of the recent GST rate cut to buyers. The GST Council, earlier this week, approved limiting slabs to 5 per cent and 18 per cent, effective from September 22.
Leading automakers Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Hyundai Motor India posted higher sales in January riding on the growth momentum ushered in by the GST reforms in the festive period last year.
Despite its sub-4m footprint, the Gravite offers impressive cabin space, three usable rows, and practical storage solutions making it ideal for budget-conscious families, says Somnath Chatterjee.
The Renault Triber's USP remains its exceptional interior space and seven-seater capability, a combination rarely found in the 7 lakh to 10 lakh on-road price bracket in India.
After a record-breaking year, India's automobile industry is entering 2026 on a relatively strong footing, with sales growth expected in the 6-8 per cent range. The outlook is underpinned by policy support, including GST rationalisation, easing monetary conditions, and income tax relief, which together are likely to improve affordability and sustain consumer demand across vehicle segments.
With demand continuing to be strong post the festive season, leading automakers, Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra, saw robust growth in sales in November as compared to the same month last year. Maruti Suzuki India reported the best-ever total sales, including exports, last month at 229,021 units, a year-on-year growth of 26 per cent as compared to November last year.
The company had sold a total of 885 vehicles during January 2012.
Mahindra & Mahindra on Saturday said it has reduced prices of its passenger vehicle range by up to Rs 1.56 lakh with immediate effect in order to pass on GST rate cut benefit to customers. The price cut follows the announcement of revamped GST at the 56th GST Council meeting held on September 3, 2025, the Mumbai-based auto major said in a statement.
A deep split has emerged within India's auto industry over the proposed CAFE exemption for small cars, with only Maruti Suzuki and Renault backing the move in the final SIAM vote.
"After 25 years with Renault and the last four years heading Renault operations in India, Sylvain Bilaine has decided to leave the company to create his own consultancy firm in France," Renault India said. Bilaine was country general manager for Renault in India.
French auto major Renault on Monday said it will buy out its Japanese partner Nissan's stake in their Indian joint venture -- Renault Nissan Automotive India Private Ltd. Renault Group would own 100 per cent of Renault Nissan Automotive India Private Ltd (RNAIPL), by acquiring the 51 per cent shareholding currently held by Nissan, the company said in a statement.
Starting January, the market is expected to welcome models like the Tata Punch 2025 which is expected to be around 6 lakh, Mahindra BE 07 EV around 29 lakh, Maruti WagonR Electric around 8.5 lakh, Toyota 3-Row SUV around 14 lakh, and Volkswagen Tera to be around 8 lakh.
For hatchbacks and sedans, offers range between Rs 40,000 and Rs 80,000 while SUVs and multi-purpose vehicles carry benefits exceeding Rs 1 lakh.
Fada estimates that global supply chain headwinds like scarce availability of rare earth elements for electric vehicle components and geopolitical tensions may affect urban consumer sentiment in June as well.
The new Duster will go head-to-head with popular models like Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, MG Astor, etc in the highly competitive mid-size SUV segment.
Nissan is targeting annual domestic sales and exports of 100,000 units each by financial year 2026-27.
Two Japanese auto giants, Honda and Nissan, are moving towards a potential merger, but it remains unclear how their Indian operations will be immediately impacted.
The Centre should provide a clear regulatory pathway that it will follow so that automobile companies can plan their investments and car launches accordingly, Venkatram Mamillapalle, managing director (MD) & chief executive officer (CEO), Renault India Operations, said on Tuesday. Renault is planning to launch five cars - including a B-plus segment sport utility vehicle (SUV), a C-segment SUV and an electric vehicle (EV) - in India in the next three years, he told reporters. In early 2022, the ministry of road transport and highways had announced that cars in India would be required to have six airbags from October 1, 2022.
France-based automobile manufacturer Renault and Japan-headquartered Nissan on Monday committed investments of $600 million (around Rs 5,300 crore) in the country 15 years after foraying into the Tamil Nadu automobile industry. The fresh round of investments would witness roll out of six new models between the two companies including -- two electric vehicles -- representing the two global brands, Nissan Global chief operating officer and Member, Alliance Board Ashwani Gupta said in Chennai.
Renault is also mulling a new small car, their sixth model in the country, to be introduced by 2013 or 2014.
A lot rides on this new vehicle for Renault, the seventh largest player in domestic passenger vehicle market, as its brand new SUV takes on Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Hyundai Creta and Ford EcoSport.
American electric carmaker Tesla has opened recruitment for various roles in India, including business operations analyst and customer support specialist, in what could be a precursor for the company's entry into the country. As per the job postings on the company's website, the posts are for the 'Mumbai Suburban' area.
French car maker Renault on Thursday said it is developing a car which will be designed to meet the requirements of the Indian market and is expected to be introduced after 2013.
Renault will start with a slew of new products that will be launched over the second half of this year and next year, apart from giving facelifts to the Kwid and Duster.
The new variant Scala RxE extends the Renault diesel portfolio and offers customers a competitive and well-packaged diesel option, Renault India said in a statement.
Renault to launch MPV Lodgy to boost sale in India
2016 has been the most important one for Renault in India, backed by strategic measures in all key biz dimensions.
The car comes with various features including a 3D sound system with eight speakers, automatic headlamps and rain sensing wipers.
The Renault Kwid Climber concept is set to be the precursor for an off-roader based on the popular hatchback.
French auto major Renault on Wednesday said it will increase vehicle prices in India from next month to offset the impact of high input costs.
Scores 0 on front seat protection and 2 stars for rear seat child occupant protection
The three launches are part of the plans of the company, which is the fully owned subsidiary of Renault s.a.s, to introduce five new cars in the market, Renault India vice-president (sales and marketing) Len Curran told reporters in Kochi.
French auto major Renault has put on hold indefinitely its plans to introduce its cars in the Indian market from the upcoming Chennai plant on account of global slowdown, which has affected the firm's worldwide operations.
Whether or not Renault India will be able to fulfill its aim, we'll have to wait and watch.
The new Fluence will be powered by 1.5 litre diesel engine, which will give a mileage of 20.4 kilometre per litre.
Renault proffers 2+2 years or 80,000 km warranty on the compact SUV.
77 per cent of all transactions in the January-March 2025 period took place digitally, indicating continued preference for online car purchases.
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